A17662:1152
The Institution of Christian Religion
The institution of Christian religion, written in Latin by master John Calvin, and translated into English according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Queens majesties injunctionsThe institution of Christian religion, vvrytten in Latine by maister Ihon Caluin, and translated into Englysh according to the authors last edition. Seen and allowed according to the order appointed in the Quenes maiesties iniunctions
London: printed by Reinolde Wolfe & Richard Harison, 1561London: printed by Reinolde VVolfe & Richarde Harison, 1561
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Now we have declared that which is the chief point in this §1matter: that because if righteousness be upholden with works, it must needs by & by fall down before the sight of God, it is contained in the only mercy of God, the only communicating of Christ, & therefore in only faith. But, let us diligently mark that this is the chief stay of the matter, least we be entangled with that general error, not only of the common people, but also of learned men. For so soon as question is moved of the justification of faith & works, they flee to those places which seem to give to works some merit in the sight of God: as though the justification of works were fully won, if it be ones proved that they be of any value with God. But we have above plainly showed that the righteousness of works consisteth only in the perfect and full keeping of the law. Whereupon followeth that no man is justified by works but he that having climbed up to the hiest top of perfection can not be proved guilty of any offence be it never so little. Therefore it is an other & a several question: ⟨image 272⟩Howsoever works suffice not to justify a man, whether yet do they not deserve favour with God?
NOw we haue declared that which is ye chefe point in this §1matter: that bycause yf righteousnesse be vpholden with workes, it must needes by & by fal downe before the sight of God, it is conteined in ye only mercie of God, the only cō municating of Christ, & therefore in only faith. But, let vs diligētly mark that this is the chefe stay of the matter, least we be entangled with that general error, not only of the cōmon people, but also of learned mē. For so sone as question is moued of the iustificatiō of faith & workes, they flee to those places which seme to geue to workes some merit in the sight of God: as though the iustification of workes were fully wonne, if it be ones proued that they be of any value with God. But we haue aboue plainely shewed that the righteousnesse of workes cōsisteth only in the perfect and ful keping of the law. Wherupon foloweth that no mā is iustified by workes but he that hauyng climbed vp to the hiest top of perfection can not be proued gilty of any offense be it neuer so litle. Therefore it is an other & a seueral questiō: ⟨image 272⟩